Garrett and Lila dashed toward the monster, their daggers clenched tightly in their fists. The creature loomed before them, its plushy black eyes gleaming with an eerie intelligence. Despite its cute appearance, its movements were swift and deadly, its claws glinting like polished steel under the dim forest light.
Erin stood back, his makeshift spear in hand, watching as the two charged into battle. His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of fear and determination coursing through him. He tightened his grip on the tree branch he'd carved into a crude spear, the edge sharpened with his dagger.—"I might not have magic, but I'm not useless,— he thought, his jaw clenched.
The monster roared, its voice shaking the trees. Garrett was the first to strike, his dagger slashing toward the creature's side. The blade sparked as it scraped against the monster's tough, armored skin, leaving barely a scratch. Garrett's eyes widened in disbelief. "What the—?!"
Lila lunged next, her movements swift and precise. She aimed for the monster's leg, hoping to cripple it. Her dagger struck true, but the blade shattered on impact, the fragments scattering across the forest floor. "Are you kidding me?!" she yelled, stumbling back. "What kind of monster has skin this tough?!"
The monster retaliated with a swipe of its massive claw. Lila barely had time to dodge, the claw grazing her arm and sending her sprawling. She scrambled to her feet, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Garrett, we need a plan! This thing's skin is like iron!"
"Working on it!" Garrett growled, dodging another swipe. He conjured a flickering dagger in his hand, the magical blade unstable but sharp. He lunged again, aiming for the monster's eye, but the creature moved faster, its claw slamming into his side and sending him skidding across the ground.
Erin watched, his frustration mounting.—They're not going to last much longer,— he thought, his hands trembling as he gripped his spear. He glanced at Lila, who was clutching her bleeding arm, her face pale but determined. —I can't just stand here.—
The monster turned its attention to Lila, its plushy eyes narrowing as it lunged. She tried to dodge, but the creature was too fast. Its claw slashed across her belly, the force sending her flying through the air. She crashed into the ground near Erin, her body crumpling like a ragdoll.
"LILA!" Erin screamed, dropping his spear and rushing to her side. He cradled her in his arms, his hands trembling as he tried to stop the bleeding. Her silver eyes were glazed with pain, her breath shallow. Blood soaked through her clothes, staining his hands.
"Erin…" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I… I don't want to die…"
"You're not going to die!" Erin choked out, tears streaming down his face. His vision blurred as he pictured his older sister, Aria, lying in his arms just like this. The memory was too much, the pain too raw. "I won't let you die! I'll be the one to kill you, not this stupid monster! You hear me?!"
Lila managed a weak smile, her hand reaching up to touch his face. "You idiot… you're such a… dummy…"
Erin's chest tightened, his tears falling onto her bloodied clothes. He looked up at the monster, his grief turning to rage. "You're not taking her from me!" he snarled, his voice trembling with fury.
His gaze shifted to Noah, who was still wrapped in his sleeping bag, snoring peacefully despite the chaos around him. Erin's anger flared. "How can you just sleep through this, you useless sack of—?!" He cut himself off, shaking his head.—No time for this. I have to fight—
Gently laying Lila down, Erin grabbed his spear and stood, his eyes locked on the monster. "Garrett! I'm coming in!"
Garrett, who was barely holding his own against the creature, nodded. "About time! Just don't get yourself killed!"
Erin charged, his spear aimed at the monster's side. The creature turned, its plushy eyes locking onto him. It swiped at him with its claw, but Erin ducked, the wind from the strike ruffling his hair. He thrust his spear forward, the sharpened tip digging into the monster's skin. It didn't pierce deeply, but it was enough to make the creature roar in pain.
"That's right! You're not so tough now, are you?!" Erin yelled, pulling the spear back and dodging another swipe.
Garrett joined him, his magical dagger flickering in his hand. "Aim for its eyes! That's the only weak spot!"
The two fought side by side, their movements growing more coordinated as they pressed the attack. Erin's spear struck again and again, each hit chipping away at the monster's tough skin. Garrett's dagger flickered wildly, but he managed to land a few solid strikes, the blade sinking into the creature's flesh.
The monster roared, its movements becoming more erratic. It swung its claws wildly, forcing Erin and Garrett to dodge and weave. Erin's arms ached from the effort, but he refused to back down. —I'm not useless. I'm not weak. I'll protect them.—
As the battle raged on, the sand around Lila's almost lifeless body began to shift. It swirled slowly, forming tiny patterns that glowed faintly in the dim light. Noah, still wrapped in his sleeping bag, smiled faintly in his sleep, his lips curling into a knowing smirk.
Erin didn't notice. His focus was entirely on the monster. He and Garrett were holding their own, but the creature's strength was overwhelming. Garrett saw an opening and lunged, his dagger aimed at the monster's eye. The blade struck true, almost sinking deep into the creature's plushy black orb.
But the monster's skin was too tough. The magical dagger shattered on impact, the fragments scattering as the creature roared in fury. Its claw lashed out, slashing across Garrett's belly and sending him flying. He crashed into a tree, his body crumpling to the ground.
"GARRETT!" Erin screamed, his voice raw with desperation.
The monster turned its to face Erin, its growl low and menacing. Erin tightened his grip on his spear, his heart pounding. "This isn't over. Not yet".
The monster loomed over Erin, its claw raised for the final strike. Garrett lay motionless against the tree, blood pooling beneath him. Lila's breathing grew weaker, the sand around her glowing brighter. And Noah, still asleep, smiled as if dreaming of something sweet.
Erin stood alone, his spear trembling in his hands. "Come on, you overgrown plushie," he muttered, his voice shaking but defiant. "Let's finish this."